New standards begin with Class of 2029
Las Cruces Public Schools is enhancing its curriculum to provide students with essential financial and media literacy skills. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, LCPS will introduce new robust coursework in Social Studies, Mathematics, and Media Literacy to equip students with the tools needed to navigate an increasingly complex financial and digital world.
Starting with the Class of 2029 (current 8th graders), students entering high school in Fall 2025 will be required to complete a Financial Literacy and Economics course as part of their Social Studies curriculum. This required course, taken in the junior year, serves as the third course in the Social Studies sequence. The curriculum is aligned with state standards and integrates a K-12 strand of anchor standards in Economics and Personal Financial Literacy, including:
- Economic Decision-Making
- Incentives and Choices
- Economic Systems and Models
- Money and Markets
- Global Economy
- Personal Financial Literacy
In addition to the Social Studies requirement, LCPS will offer an algebra-based Financial Literacy course designed around mathematics standards. Available to all high school students beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, this course emphasizes personal financial literacy and decision-making while reinforcing mathematical skills. Students may choose to take this course as an elective or apply it as a mathematics credit. However, all students are still required to complete the Social Studies Financial Literacy and Economics course as one of their four Social Studies credits.
Recognizing the increasing role of media in students’ daily lives, LCPS will also introduce a .5-credit Media Literacy course in the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, followed by a more comprehensive one-credit expansion course in 2026-2027. These courses will count as elective credits.
Media Literacy coursework will help students develop essential skills to assess credibility, identify bias, and understand the role of media in shaping opinions, culture, and decision-making. Topics covered will include:
- Advertising and News Media
- Social Media and Entertainment
- Emerging Technologies
- Digital Citizenship and Responsible AI Use
By the end of the course, students will be better prepared to navigate the digital landscape, make informed decisions, and advocate for responsible media consumption.
“Financial literacy, and a critical understanding of media, were both priorities for parents and students when our district was creating our Graduate Profile,” said LCPS Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz. “The profile is our commitment to students to prepare them for an ever-changing world in the area of media production, media consumption, and personal financial literacy.”
The district will host several informational sessions for students and families prior to Next Steps planning and scheduling classes for the next school year. Those sessions, which will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. this week include:
- Tuesday, February 4 – LCPS Board Room
- Wednesday, February 5 – Picacho Middle School
- Thursday, February 6 – Camino Real Middle School
Additional meetings will be scheduled as necessary.
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